What is the purpose of your student publication?

Pie graphic with the elements of a student media mission statement. The graphic has a sand background. The pie sections are in shades of JEA purple and red. It contains the JEA logo in the lower right corner. The text headline reads "What is the purpose of your student publication?" The pie sections read, "Audience Engagement," "Journalistic Responsibility," "Reporting Basics," "Ethical Reporting & Editing," Student-determined Content," "Diversity of Ideas & Representation," "Platform Consistency," and "School Mission Connection."

Developing student-led mission statements and a culture covering stories that matter can serve both school and local communities. By Tom McHale Many years ago, I was confronted by an angry parent after a long production meeting. She felt her daughter, an editor, spent too much time working on the paper. “This isn’t the New York…

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Video series gives crash course in press rights issues

If you’re looking for a quick refresher on press rights issues, a potential class bellringer or something to spark discussions in class, check out this video series created by SPRC member Tripp Robbins. The series, which Robbins created for his MJE project, delves into issues from FERPA to hate speech to covering protests. Robbins worked…

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New frontiers: Voting as speech

Overview In this lesson, students will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, voting rights and the First Amendment. By analyzing how AI can influence the democratic process, including voter suppression, gerrymandering and misinformation, students will also consider voting as a form of protected speech under the First Amendment. They will discuss whether restrictions on voting…

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Free expression and us album: Music, the First Amendment and textual analysis

Overview This project integrates knowledge of the First Amendment with students’ favorite form of entertainment: music. Students will critically analyze song lyrics and themes, connecting them to First Amendment rights. They will work in groups to create an “album” that teaches others about freedom of speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly, demonstrating their comprehension through…

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12 ways to teach the 2024 election with The New York Times

The New York Times offers engaging, adaptable strategies to help educators explore the 2024 election with their students in meaningful ways, just in time for Constitution Day activities. The guide features 12 diverse teaching methods, encouraging students to reflect on their identities, understand the Electoral College, monitor misinformation, and follow political news. It also includes…

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Artificial intelligence, the First Amendment and democracy

Overview This lesson explores the implications of artificial intelligence on the First Amendment, focusing on freedom of speech and the press. With AI technologies evolving rapidly, students will critically analyze how AI might influence public discourse, truth and accountability. Students will also explore the potential legal ramifications of AI-generated content and the challenges it poses…

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Student expression shouldn’t be foreign to journalists

To appreciate our freedom of speech and freedom of expression, travel abroad. Unfortunately, there are those in this country who think freedoms of expression need to be controlled, especially when they are extolled by students.  When we recently visited Macao our tour guide pointed to a group handing out information about their religious beliefs. The…

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A four part blog: News deserts

Part 2 of 4 My original blog idea started as a simple little suggestion to encourage high school student journalists to cover school board meetings and educational topics in communities without commercial media – those rural and urban areas considered news deserts. But it’s grown much bigger than that. These will be the weekly installments…

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A four part blog: One student journalist attempts to reach a larger audience

Emma’s story Part 1 of 4 My original blog idea started as a simple little suggestion to encourage high school student journalists to cover school board meetings and educational topics in communities without commercial media – those rural and urban areas considered news deserts. But it’s grown much bigger than that. These will be the…

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